Summary

• Side-set breasts are a breast shape where there is a space of approximately 5cm or more between the breasts
• An increased space between the breasts can be caused by genetics, ageing, weight fluctuations and previous breast surgery
• There are a range of procedures to treat side-set breasts, depending on the cause, including Breast Augmentation, Fat Transfer to Breast and Breast Implant Removal and Replacement
• Cadogan Clinic has brought together a team of specialist Consultant Breast Surgeons who are experts in all procedures to address side-set breasts

What Are Side-Set Breasts

Side-set breasts, also known as east-west breasts or wide-set breasts, are a breast shape characterised by a wide gap between the breasts, which can limit cleavage.

Cadogan Clinic is a consultant-led hospital, based in Chelsea, London, with a team of the UK’s best Consultant Breast Surgeons delivering the highest standards of patient care and outcomes. 100% of Cadogan Clinic’s surgical patients would recommend the clinic to their family and friends.

The distance between the breasts is a natural anatomical trait, influenced by several factors including genetics, ageing and previous breast procedures. Side-set breasts are typically defined as having the width of three or more fingers (around 5cm) between the breasts.

For most patients, the space between the breasts isn’t a physical health concern, however, it can deeply impact confidence and self-image, increasing self-consciousness and anxiety. Many patients find that wide-set breasts affect the fit of clothing and may cause discomfort when exercising.

Side-set breasts are a breast shape characterised by a space between the breasts that is at least the width of three fingers, which can affect confidence and quality of life.

 

Are Side-set Breasts Unattractive?

Whether a certain breast shape is attractive or not is subjective, and often falls to personal preferences and anatomy, rather than defined characteristics.

While for some people, side-set breasts may not suit their personal bodily proportions, for others a larger space between the breasts may balance wide shoulders or a wide rib cage.

It is important to remember that breasts of any size can have a large gap between them. However, smaller breasts may exacerbate the appearance of a large gap. Discussing your concerns about a large space between the breasts with a Consultant Breast Surgeon is the best way to understand what the best options are to achieve a balanced and proportionate chest appearance overall.

Side-set breasts are not inherently unattractive, and it is important to consider the context of personal anatomy and aesthetic preferences before deciding what the best breast shape for your personal requirements is.

 

What Are the Symptoms of Side-Set Breasts?

Side-set breasts are associated with a range of physical and psychological signs and symptoms, which can have a wide-reaching impact on confidence and quality of life.

Physical Side-Set Breast Symptoms

• Large space between the breasts: Any space between the breasts wider than the width of three fingers (approximately 5cm) is considered to be wide-set
• Uneven breast tissue distribution: Side-set or east-west breasts often have more breast tissue located at the outer sides of the chest, exacerbating the appearance of a wide gap in the middle of the chest
• Lack of cleavage: Individuals with side-set breasts often find that they have limited cleavage, which is not enhanced by wearing a bra
• Nipple position: The direction of nipples can vary, but in most cases, side-set breasts are associated with outward-facing nipples
• Bra fitting: Due to the uneven distribution of the breast tissue and the wide space between the breasts, it can be challenging to find well-fitting bras

Psychological Side-Set Breast Symptoms

• Loss of confidence: Many individuals with side-set breasts find that it causes them to lose confidence
• Anxiety and self-consciousness: Those with side-set breasts may experience hyper-awareness of the appearance of their breasts, which may develop into body dysmorphia
• Clothing choices: Some people may rely on certain clothing or underwear which disguises the appearance of the breasts
• Activity choices: Having side-set breasts may cause some individuals to avoid certain activities such as exercise or swimming

The signs and symptoms of side-set breasts can have a significant impact on physical appearance and emotional comfort, which is important to not dismiss.

What Causes Side-Set Breasts?

There are several causes of side-set breasts, and it is important to understand the reasons they may have developed in order to develop a personalised and effective treatment plan.

A comprehensive assessment is the best way to determine the cause of side-set breasts, especially where a patient isn’t sure of what has caused the condition.

Causes of side-set breasts include:

Genetics

Genetics can have a noticeable effect on the shape and position of the breasts by influencing:

• The width of the sternum (the bone which sits in the middle of the ribcage)
• The shape and size of the ribcage
• The points where the breasts attach to the chest wall

Patients with direct relatives who are affected by wide-set breasts are more likely to be affected by the same trait. However, genetics do not guarantee the development of side-set breasts, and they can also arise in isolation with no genetic influence.

Anatomy

An individual’s natural anatomy is often key to whether they will develop side-set breasts.

Patients with a large rib cage and wide sternum are more likely to have side-set breasts, although the distribution of breast tissue is also important to consider. Patients who have tuberous breasts, where the breast tissue is constricted at the base, resulting in a tube or cone shape, are also more likely to have a wider gap between their breasts.

As well as determining the cause of side-set breasts, it is important to take anatomy into account when considering the best solutions. Speaking with an experienced and qualified Consultant Breast Surgeon with in-depth knowledge of breast anatomy ensures that the cause of side-set breasts is expertly balanced with the right solutions.

Ageing and Weight Loss

Although ageing and dramatic weight loss are not necessarily intrinsically linked, their effects on the breasts are often similar in relation to wide-set breasts.

Ageing and weight fluctuations do not typically impact the underlying structure of the ribcage and sternum; they can affect the skin and breast tissue, which may result in the breasts appearing wider-spaced.

Both ageing and weight fluctuations can result in:

• Reduced skin elasticity
• Loss in breast volume
• Sagging or deflated breasts

All of these can cause the space between the breasts to appear wider, even for individuals who naturally have close-set breasts.

Previous Breast Surgery

The appearance or development of wide-set breasts is a potential side effect of certain breast surgeries. It is important to discuss this with your surgeon ahead of any primary breast procedure to help you to make an informed decision.

Side-set breasts after surgery are typically associated with:

• Breast implant movement: In rare instances, breast implants can move over time following surgery. In cases where the breast implants move outwards (known as lateral displacement), the breast volume is shifted towards the outer side of the breasts, resulting in the appearance of a disproportionate gap in the middle of the chest
• Breast tissue removal: Often part of breast cancer treatment, breast tissue removal, also known as a Lumpectomy, involves extracting a targeted part of the breast. Depending on the placement, this can reduce breast volume, which may cause an imbalance in distribution, making the space between the breasts look wider than it naturally is

Any potential side effects of breast surgery will be discussed in-depth during your initial consultation, and for most patients should not be a specific reason to decide against a procedure. However, it is important to bear them in mind, along with your surgeon’s assessment of your personal level of risk.

Side-set breasts have many causes, including genetics, ageing, weight loss and previous breast surgery, and it is important to understand these causes to help develop the most effective treatment plan.

How to Fix Side-Set Breasts?

There are a number of surgical and non-surgical solutions which can effectively address the appearance of side-set breasts.

Cadogan Clinic, London is an award-winning plastic surgery provider, whose team of industry-leading Consultant Breast Surgeons are experts in all areas of breast surgery, including addressing side-set breasts, resulting from natural causes and previous breast procedures.

Non-Surgical Side-Set Breast Treatments

Non-surgical treatments for side-set breasts often provide an effective solution to narrowing the gap between the breasts and increasing cleavage, without the commitment and downtime of surgery. However, it is important to bear in mind that these options are typically temporary and do not yield long-term results.

Underwear

Certain bra styles, such as plunge and balconette, are designed to push the breasts together in the middle of the chest, reducing space and creating a defined cleavage.

Speaking with a professional bra-fitter will ensure you find the best bra for side-set breasts that fits you well and meets your needs.

However, it is important to bear in mind that a bra will only fix side-set breasts while it is being worn and may not be suitable for all cuts of clothing.

Wide-Set Breast Surgery

Wide-set breast surgery is the gold standard for addressing a wide space between the breasts.

Surgery provides an effective solution to side-set breasts with long-term results, increasing confidence and comfort.

There are several surgical procedures which address side-set breasts, depending on the cause and the patient’s desired results:

Side-Set Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation, also known as Breast Enlargement, involves placing silicone breast implants into the breasts to enhance their size and shape.

Breast Augmentation with implants remained the most popular surgical procedure in the UK, in 2025, as reported by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).

Breast implants are available from a wide range of brands, offering different shapes and sizes, and the results can be further personalised by varying their placement and projection.

A Breast Augmentation is especially effective in addressing side-set breasts, as the breast implants can be used to balance the distribution of volume, increasing the volume in the inner sides of the breasts, which reduces the appearance of the space in the centre of the chest.

Breast Augmentation is performed under general anaesthetic and typically takes 1-2 hours to complete.

Fat Transfer to Breast

Fat Transfer to Breast involves extracting excess fat from various areas of the body using Liposuction, before processing it to remove impurities and injecting it back into the breasts. This subtly enhances the breasts' size and shape, with volume increased specifically in the areas where it is required.

For patients who are concerned about side-set breasts, but who are either looking for an alternative to breast implants, or who wish to achieve a highly subtle and natural result, Fat Transfer to Breast is an effective solution.

Fat Transfer to Breast is also well suited to patients who have had part of their breast removed due to breast cancer treatment, as the fat can be used to rebuild a specific part of the breast while leaving the rest untreated.

It is important to remember that Fat Transfer to Breast may involve multiple procedures to achieve the optimal result.

Fat Transfer to Breast is performed under general anaesthetic, and is usually complete within 2-3 hours depending on the number of areas of Liposuction, and the amount of fat being injected into the breasts.

Breast Implant Removal & Replacement

For patients who have developed side-set breasts due to the lateral displacement of breast implants, Breast Implant Removal and Replacement is the best treatment option to restore the appearance of the breasts.

Breast Implant Removal and Replacement involves making an incision along the same line that was previously used, removing the existing breast implants, performing a Capsulectomy to remove any excess scar tissue (if required), and then inserting new breast implants, if desired.

The replacement breast implants can either be the same specification as previously, or different depending on the patient’s desired outcomes, and whether the surgeon feels that the original breast implants may have influenced the movement of the implants.

Breast Implant Removal and Replacement is performed under general anaesthetic, and typically takes 1-2 hours to complete.

Although finding the right style of bra may offer a temporary solution, Breast Augmentation, Fat Transfer to Breast and Breast Implant Removal and Replacement are the most effective options for addressing side-set breasts.

Frequently Asked Questions